Swivel joint



, E. BARKER Aug.. s, 195o swI'vEL Jorn:

Filed March 18, 194@ IN V EN TOR. A [ugenearlez M, Wu@ "M ,477'0/P/Vfy5` 5 Y W F 4 ,MNH o F Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNIT-,Eo `s*rlsiii-t1s PME-NT orifice ,SWIQIISDYT Eugene'arkerjGolumbus, Ohio, assignor tcThe 'JaegerjMachineCompany, Columbus,` Ohio, a

:corporation af-.Ohio

Application March' 18, 1948, Serial No. 15,567

(ol. 28s-497.3)

My invention relates toa swivel joint. It has to do,"more particularly, with a 'fluid-tight jointfor connecting al rotatable unit' withv a non-rotatable unit and for yconducting iluid, lsuch-as 1 hydraulic uid; from one of such units'to'theother.'

One of the objects oimyinventionis topi-ovide a very simplejointvoiithe `type indicated which-fis composed of a minimum' number of parts that are simple-to vrxnal-:e,-which isA of suche. 'nature that" the parts can be assembled easily:l and be located properly and Haccurately .relatively .for can-Joe separated easily vrfor disassembling, and which is so Vdesigned that the parts thereof will not be subjected to excessive'frictionzandwear.

Another object of my invention is to .-provide a swivel joint of thegeneral' type indicated which is -composed of relatively vfrotatalzile parts' but which is still fluid-tight under all operating conditions without interfering v-vvitlrthe"free rotation oi such parts.

' yan vadjacent packing unit Avalso disposed between 'Stillfanother'object ofuny inventionis topro- Y vide a fluid-tightA swivel joint of the type indicatedV wherein the relativelyprotatable parts are sealedby; la novel arrangementiof material.

UA further object offmy invention-iste provide a swivel-jointof the type indicated inthe .-precedingparagraph wherein the .packing material is so arrangedA as tov prevent leakage ineither direction VApast such material .regardless of pressure conditionsl Aon the opposite. sides ofthe` material.

Another object .of .my invention is to provide a swivel joint of the. type indi-cated having a novel arrangementA of. antifricton bearing, which is so arrangedthatit will receive thethru'st created hyliluid .pressure withnthe joint but 'which'is of suchv a Vdesign that frictionwill'be'reducedLto aminimum.

Still .another object of my invention'isjto provideV a swivel joint having'apearing'of the'l type 4 indicated above withz'meansxassociated with'the bearingior eiectivelylubricating it.

"iarious other objects `vv'illbe apparentV from the drawing and' the'following description. I

"The Ypreferred embodiment of vmy invention is illustrated ,in the accompanying drawing-wherein similar characters -of reference designate corre- -l'spondingiparts andl wherein:

softhe parts in elevation'ratherthan 'insection Figure 3 isa detail in section illustrating mainly v'the packing arrangement.

With reference. to the drawing,1 have'illustrated my `swiveljoint as comprising mainly a stationary housing I, a tube `2 rotatably mounted in the housing, an anti-friction bearingyunit 3 disposed' between thehousing I and tube y'2 and the relatively rotatable' members I and 2.

:The housing I is shown as being of substantially cylindrical form. with one end closed bythe wall 5' to form a chambers. for receiving iluid and-with the', other end open, as indicated Aat `1,' to permit insertion ofthe tube 2. l'Fluid enters the-'chamber Ii` through'a conduit 8 threaded into -a bore 9 inthe wall of the housing I adjacent theclosed end thereof 'Themember' `2 is of substantially tubular form and'isinserte'dthrough the open end-1 of the housing I"into'suchhousing'with its inner end Il rspaced yfrom 'the'wall of the housing and wthvits outer endY projecting from the housing. The extreme outer end of the tube 2' is provided with 'aI threaded coupling I 2 by means of Afvvhieli the tube-may be'connected to a suitable rotating unit adapted-'to receive fluid, `for example, a rotating'shaft. "The coupling I2 will threadintofa suitable'socket provided onsuchvunit and the connection 'may be Ymad-e or broken easily 'due to the provision of the nut portion I3 formed on tube'2 adjacent the coupling? I2. It will henoted that a fluid-conducting bore -IIl vextends completelyvv through tube v2.

"'The'packing unitl 4 is disposed adjacent the inner vvend'of theftubel 2. This unit `comprises the two left Land right-adapter rings I5=and 'I6 vand a-center adapter ringz I1, fitted within'chamber 6 andV around tubev 2,' with a plurality of packing rings I 8 'disposed' between f adapter rings I5 'and I'Iandwith a pluralityof similarfpacking I3 disposed between the adapter `rings andf'II. It will benoted thabthe'adapteriring I1 has opposltely facingv grooves v`20 formedin Vits opposite -'surfaces' and which are of lsubstantially-.v Lcross-section. The adapter rings' 15 fand I6 are 1 provided i with oppositely facing kribs '21 which are oi `substanfI-,ially iV cross-.section and are complemented to the grooves'Z. v"fIl'ie packing V"rings l 8 and i9 s constitute. chevron `:packing 'audit will be noted that the packing Mandthe packing 19 will extend,v reversely, the packing i8 facing or pointing to theriglit `and theipacking ISS facing :or pointing to the left. Obviously,` this `results f'from the relative A:arrangement of lthe -euapter rings I5, I5 andl'l andthe cross-sectional form of such rings. `With this particular arrangement f:of chevron packing, as `will later lappear against the outer surface of the right-handV adapter ring I6 and with the wall 5 of the housing. It forces the ring i6 towards the ring I1 and the ring I1 towards the ring I5. Movement to bricate the bearing 3 and associated parts. It will be prevented from escaping between the cap 38 and tube 2 by the packing 44.

In assembling this unit, the spring 22 and all the parts of the packing unit 4 are positioned in the chamber 6 of the housing I. The spacer ring 23 is then POstioned in the housing in contact with shoulder 25 and is held in such position by the retaining ring 25. 'I'he cap 38 is first positioned on the enlarged portion 42 of the tube 2, the spacer ring 31 is next positioned on the tube adjacent the cap and then the bearing unit 3 is the left of ring I5 is limited by a spacer ring "23 with which the ring I5 engages. This spacer ring 23 is fitted around tube 2 and is4 associated with the bearing unit 3, being disposed within the 'i Therib 28 contactsl with the inner end of the inner bearing race 3I of the roller bearingrdisposed in the chamber 24, the race 3I 'being fitted around tube 2. A retaining ring 32 is carried by the tube 2 being contracted into an annular groove 33 formed in the outer surface thereof.

This retaining ring 32 engages the inner end of the inner race 3l and prevents axial outward movement of tube 2 relative tothe race 3|. 'I'he bearing also includes'an outer race'34 fitted into the chamber 24, tapered rollers 35 being disposed between the inner race 3l and the outer race 34. The outer end of the inner race 3l engages a shoulder 35 formed on thegouter surface of tube 2. Thus, the inner race 3I is disposed on tube 2 between the shoulder 3IiY and the ring 32v and, consequently, axial movement in either direction of member 2 relative to the inner race 3| is preeluded.

A spacer ring 31 is fitted within the outer end of the chamber 24 for axial movement in and out of this chamber. the outervend of the outer race 34. A retaining cap 38 is provided with a iiange 39 which is threaded on the threaded outer surface 4l! at the extreme end of housing I.- This cap 38 is provided with a central Yopening 4I in which` the enlarged'portion' 42 of the tube 2 is disposed for axial movement. The edge of the opening 4Iis provided'with an annular groove 43 which receives packing 44. around the enlargedvportion 42 of the tube 2 and provides a substantially uid-tight seal at .this joint. 'The cap 38 is free to rotate relative to the tube 2 so that it can be adjusted axially on the housing I and the inner surface of thecap engages the outer edge of the spacer ring 31. The cap may be heldin any position to which it is rotatably adjusted by means of a set screw -45 extending through the cap and engaging the `Out,- er edge ofthe housing I.

T I` .provide vmeans for lubricating the bearing unitV 3 andpthe associatedparts. This means comprises a pressure lubricant tting 46 which is mounted in the wall of the housing I .and cornmunicates' with' the chamber.-24;. Thus, lubricant can be supplied into the chamber 24 and will 1u This spacerl ring 31 engages This packing fits tightly operating hydraulic clutches and brakes.

mounted on the tube and is held in place by the .retaining ring 32. The tube 2 with the bearing 3,

the ring 31, and the cap 38 carried thereby, is

.then inserted in the housing I so that its inner end extends into the packing unit 4. The cap 3B is then threaded on the housing I to move the ring 31 within the chamber 24 so that it engages the outer race 34 and moves the tube 2 and the bearing 3 carried thereby axially into housing I until ythe inner race 3l contacts with the rib 28 on the spacer ring 23. The screw 45 is then tightened to hold the cap 38 in adjusted position.

Fluid pressure developed within the chamber 5 will tendto exert a thrust to the left on the packing unit 4 and this thrust Will be taken ,by the ring 23. In fact, therewill be a tendency to move the entire housing I to the left. However, this thrust will be transmitted to the inner race 3| of the bearing unit 3.` Since the outer bearing racc 34 isY prevented from moving to the left by the ring 31,l the thrust will be transmitted to the outer race also,4 by the rollers 35. However, because this bearing ris of the roller type, this thrust can be absorbed by the bearing unit without undue friction.

The swivel joint maybe disposed between a stationary unit and a rotatable unit of any type and can be used for making a, uid-tight connection between such units so as to'conduct fluid from yone, unit tothe other. For example, the joint may beused in a hydraulic circuit used for Ordinarily, hydraulic liquidunder pressure will enter through the'conduit 8 into the chamber 6 and pass outwardly through the bore I4 in the tube 2, the housing I being stationary and the tube 2 rotating. With this pressure condition in chamber 6, there is a tendency for theppressure developed withinchamber 6 to aid the spring 22 in keeping the packing compressed. If any fluid does pass. beyond the adapterring I6, it will merely serve ,to force 'the chevron packing I9 outwardly more firmly into contact with the wall of the chamber 6. If a vacuum condition is created Iwithin chamber 6, the ,packing is still maintained in proper position by the spring 22, This vacuum condition may result from sudden operation of the actuating cylinder. Vacuum within the chamber G-would tend to unseat the outer edges of the-'packing I9 from thegwall of the chamber 6. However,` due to the reverse arrangement' of `the packing I8, the'vacu'um force would tend to more rmly seat the outer edges of such packing against the wall of: chamber 6. .Thus, due to the reverse'arrangement of the Chevron packing` I8 and I9, a uid-tight seal willresult regardless of whether there is pressure` or Y vacuum within chamber G.

It ,will be Yapparent `from the `above description that I have provided'a novel type of swivel joint. The J'Gint is Simple. qmpsisedfff aferra-Paris which can be made easily, is of such a nature that" the parts will not wearexcessively andy can be --assembled and l:disassembled readily. A uidtight seal is ensured under all -operating conditonsand a vminimum amountfoi frictionis ldeveloped vvitliinl the joint.

Various other advantages` w'illbe apparent.

' 'Having thus describedmy invention, `whatl claim is: A'

Aswivel joint" comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having oneend closed and the other endopen, a substantially tubular'rnember having oneend inserted into the `open end-"of the housing and'positioned sot'hat its'inner end is spacedA from' the closed -end of the housing, 'the closed inner end of the housing providing a chamber for receiving'uid under pressure, said tubular 'member 'having a "passageway l'extending therethrough which "communicates at r'its inner end with said chamber, apacking unit surrounding said tubularf member and li'ittingwithin said housing chamber to `prevent passage tof "uid therebetween without-interfering withthe relative vrotation thereof,`said unit including`a central adapter ring tted Aarou'ndsaidV tubular member and within l said chamber Iand two Vend adapter rings'lltted aroundsaid tubular 'member and within said chamber, all of said rings being axially movable vrelativeto'saidtubular member and said housing., each'endadapter ring having a rib of V-formV facing towards a groove of V -form inthe adjacent surface of the central adapter ring, the rib onthe one end adapter ring facing towards the rib on the other end-adapter ring, c'ompressible packing between each end adapter ring and the-central adapter ring and adapted t0 be gripped therebetween so as to-be maintained inchevron shape, said adapter rings serving to provide two groups of chevron packing at opposite sides of the central adapter ring with the packing of each group having its groove side outwardly in orderv` toprevent` passage -of uid under pressurey outwardly/from said chamberI along the tubular member and wall of" the chamber'and in order to prevent leakage of air inwardly along the tubular `member fand "wall *of the chamber whenever a vacuum is created within the chamber, a compression spring disposed within 'said chamber in .surrounding relationship tojthefextreme inner end of said tubular 'member in engagement with the closed end of the housing and the innermost end adapter ringso as to force such'ring towards the outermost adapter ring, a thrust collar yfor limiting outward axial movement of the outermost end adapter ring secured in fixed position at the inner end of a counterbore formed within the outer portion of the housing but iitted on the tubular member for relative axial movement, an anti-friction bearing disposed within said counterbore between said tubular member and said housing, said bearing including an inner race held in fixed position on the exterior of said tubular member and with which said thrust collar engages, said bearing also including an outer race mounted within the counterbore for axial movement therewithin, tapered rollers between said inner and outer races with their wider ends inwardly and with their axes extending angularly in the direction of thrust of said thrust collar toward the axis of said bearing, a spacer sleeve fitted within the counterbore for axial movement therein which engages the outer end of said outer bearing race and extends beyond the outer end of the housing, and a cap .threaded on the outer end of said housing and fitted on the tubular member for relative axial movementfsaid cap engaging thefiouteried of said spacer sleeve.

2. A' swivel joint comprising a substantially cylindrical-'housing having onefend closed-andthe other'end open, a substantially tubular member having onerend inserted-into the open end/of 'the housing and positioned so that its inner .fend'tis spaced from thefclosed end of-the housing, the closed inner end of the housing providingacharnberforreceivingfluid under pressure, said tubular member having a passageway' lextending therethrough whichv communicates-at itsinner end with said chamber, a packing unit surrounding said tubular member and tting within lsaid housing chamber `to prevent passage of r'fluid therebetween without interfering with the re-lative rotation -thereof,- v said unit `including l`end adapter rings which are axially movabiev`v relative to said'tubular member and said housing and which'have compressible packing therebetween, a compression spring disposed within said chamber'in surrounding relationship to-theextreme innerI en'd of said tubular member in engagement lwith the closed end of the 'housing and the innermost end adapter'ring so as to force such ringltowards'the outermost' adapter ring, a'thrust collar for limiting outward axial movement of the outer'- most end adapter ring secured in ixed position 'within the outer portion of thel housingbut iitted yon the tubular member for relative axial movement, an Aanti-friction Vbearing `disposedv within Ythe outer end of the 'housing'between said tubular 'member and said'lhousing, said'bearing including an inner race held vin 'fixed position on? the 'exterior of said tubular memberand with which said thrust c0llar-engages, said bearing also inlu'ding an outer race mounted within the housing for axial movement therewithin, tapered rollers betweenY said inner and outer races with their wider ends inwardly and-with their axes extending'angularly in the direction of thrust of said thrust collarv toward the axis of said bearing,a

vspacer vsleeve fitted within the outer `end ofthe Ahousing for' axial movement therein 1 which 'en'- gages the outer 'vend of said outer bearing race 'and extends beyond the outer end of the housing, anda cap mounted on the outer end of said housing'for axial adjustment and tted on the tubu-I 'lar member for relative axial movement, said vvcap 'engaging the outer end of said spacer sleeve.

'3. A swivel joint comprising a substantially cyllindrical'housing having one end kclosed andthe 'other end open; a substantially tubular member having one end inserted into the open end of the housing and positioned so that its inner end is spaced from the closed end of the housing, the closed inner end of the housing providing a chamber for receiving fluid under pressure, said tubular member having a passageway extending therethrough which communicates at its inner end with said chamber, a packing unit surrounding said tubular member and fitting within said housing chamber to prevent passage of iiuid therebetween without interfering with the relative rotation thereof, said unit including a central adapter ring iitted around said tubular member and within said chamber and two end adapter rings fitted around said tubular member and within said chamber, all of said rings being axially movable relative to said tubular member and said housing, each end adapter ring and the central adapter ring having cooperating complemental portions of V-shaped cross-sections, compressible packing between each end adapter ring and the central adapter ring and adapted to be gripped therebetween so as to be maintainedl in chevron shape, the cooperating complemental portions on opposite sides of said central adapter ring being reversed so that said adapter rings serve to provide two groups of Areversed chevron packing at opposite sides of the central adapter ring in order to prevent passage of uid under pressure outwardly from said chamber along the tubular member and wall of the chamber and in order to prevent leakage of air inwardly along the tubular member and wall of the chamber whenever a Vacuum is created within the cham-l ber, a thrust member for limiting outward axial movement of the outermost end adapter ring secured in xed position within the outer portion of the housing but fitted on the tubular member for relative axial movement, an anti-friction bearingY disposed within the outer end of the housing between said tubular member and said housing, said bearing including an inner race held in ixed position on the exterior of said tubular member and with which said thrust member engages, said bearing also including an outer race mounted within the housing for axial movement therewithin, tapered rollers between said inner and outer races with their wider ends inwardly and with their axes extending angularly in the direction of thrust of said thrust member toward the axis of said bearing, and a thrust member carried by the housing engaging the outer end of said outer bearing race for limiting outward movement thereof relative to the housing.

4. A swivel joint comprising a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid under pressure, a uid-conducting member mounted within said housing for relative rotation, a packing unit surrounding said uid-conducting member and iitting within Said housing to prevent passage of fluid therebetween without interfering with the relative rotation thereof, said unit including two groups of compressible chevron packing which are reversed in order to prevent passage of ilud under pressure outwardly from said chamber along the huid-conducting member and the wall `of the chamber and in order to prevent leakage of air inwardly along such member and wall of the chamber whenever a vacuum is created within the chamber, the inner end of the packing unit being subjected to fluid pressure in said chamber, a thrust member carried by the housing for limit" ing outward axial movement of the packing unit relative to the housing, an anti-friction bearing disposed within the housing around said fluidconducting member, ysaid bearing including an.

inner race held in ixed position on said membery and with which said thrust member engages, said bearing also including an outer race mounted within the housing for axial movement therewithin, rollers between said inner and outer races with their axes extending angularly in the direction of thrust of said thrust member toward the axis of said bearing, and a thrust member carried by the Ahousing engaging the outer end of,v saidV outer bearing race for limiting outward movement thereof relative to the housing.

. 5. A swivel joint comprising a housing having a chamber for receiving fluid under pressure, a fluid-conducting member mounted within said housing for relative rotation, a packing unit surrounding said uid-conducting member and tting within said housing to preventpas'sage of uid. therebetween without interfering with the relative rotation thereof, said unit includingv compressible packing material and the inner end of the packingunit being subjected to fluid pressure in said chamber, a vthrust member carried by the housing for limiting outward axialmovement of the packing unit relative to the housing, an anti-friction `bearing disposed within the housing aroundsaid fluid-conducting member, said bearing including an inner race held in xed position on said member and with which said thrust member engages, said bearing also including an outer racemounted Within lthe housing for axial movement therewithin, rollers between said inner and outer races with their axes extending angularly in the direction of thrust of said thrust vmember toward the axis of said bear-V ing, and a thrust member carried by the housing engaging the outer end of said outer bearing race for limiting outward movement thereof relative to the housing.

' EUGENE BARKER.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are kof record in the Iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,459,981 Warren Jan. 25, 1949 

